Automatic dispensing machine with electric lights for controlling same



Jan. 13, 1953 w. E. SAXE 2,625,300

AUTOMATIC DISPENSING MACHINE WITH ELECTRIC LIGHTS FOR CONTROLLING SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 22, 1948 fan-5e HATE/J 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. E. SAXE AUTOMATIC DISPENSING MACHINE WITH ELECTRIC LIGHTS FOR CONTROLLING SAME Jan. 13, 1953 Filed March 22,

Jan. 13, 1953 Filed March 22, 1948 W. E. SA AUTOMATIC DISPENSING MACHINE WITH ELECTRIC LIGHTS FOR CONTROLLING SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 arm Jan. 13, 1953 w. E. SAXE v 2,625,300

AUTOMATIC DISPENSING MACHINE WITH ELECTRIC LIGHTS FOR CONTROLLING SAME Filed March 22, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 13, 1953 w, s 2,625,300

AUTOMATIC DISPENSING MACHINE WITH ELECTRIC LIGHTS FOR CONTROLLING SAME Filed March 22, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 E 9 3 2,5 4 Z25 Z05 M/HL 75/? 6 JHXE 153 M: a T'TOPNE y 649/9675, 4460/, FOJTEP g mau e/5 Patented Jan. 13, 1953 AUTOMATIC DISPENSING MACHINE WITH ELECTRIC LIGHTS FOR CONTROLLING SAME Walter E. Saxe, Pasadena, Calif., assignor to The Conveyor Company, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application March 22, 1948, Serial No. 16,252

22 Claims. 1

My invention relates in general to machines for dispensing materials in measured quantities and, more particularly, to an apparatus for producing mixtures of predetermined proportions.

The present invention embodies improvements on the apparatus disclosed in my prior application Serial No. 771,013, filed August 28 1947, and entitled Automatic Dispensing Apparatus. Reference is hereby also made to my application Serial No. 16,251, filed March 22, 1948, and entitled Automatic Dispensing Mechanism.

In general, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for actuating a plurality of dispensing devices in such a manner that each device dispenses a measured quantity of material from a source with which it is associated. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for actuating the dispensing devices under the control of means responsive to the quantities of material dispensed by the devices.

As an example, an apparatus embodying the fundamental principles of my invention may be employed in connection with an installation wherein the sources of material referred to in the preceding paragraph are storage bins and the dispensing devices are gates or other discharge controlling devices. Such installations, an example of which may be found in my Patent No. 2,336,130, issued December '7, 1943, are used extensively for combining the constituents of such materials as concrete, for example, although other uses therefor are well known to those skilled in the art.

Since the invention is particularly applicable to and was originally embodied in apparatus responsive to the weights of the materials dispensed thereby, I prefer to consider such embodiments herein for purposes of illustration. However, the invention may be embodied in apparatus responsive to variables other than the weights of the dispensed materials and it will be understood, therefore, that I do not desire to be limited to the particular embodiments which I have elected to disclose herein. For example, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various tea-- tures of the invention may be incorporated in an apparatus which is responsive to such parameters of the dispensed materials as their volumes, pressures, levels in a container, etc.

Considering the nature of the invention in more detail, it is a primary object to provide an apparatus having a plurality of material dispensing devices and having photoelectrically controlled means responsive to the quantities of material dispensed by the respective devices for actuating and subsequently de-actuating the devices in sequence in such a manner that each device dispenses a predetermined quantity of material from a source with which it is associated. More specifically, an object in this connection is to provide an apparatus having means for actuating the dispensing devices in sequence and having photoelectric means for de-actuating each device whenever a predetermined quantity of material has been dispensed thereby.

An important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus having means whereby the quantities of material to be dispensed by the various dispensing devices may be fixed simultaneously and in a single operation.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus having a control member which is movable through distances proportional to the quantities of material dispensed by the dispensing devices, and having a plurality of electrical control devices which are spaced along the path of the control member and selected ones of which may be energized, the energized control devices being adapted to cooperate with the control member to govern the operation of the dispensing devices in such a manner as to dispense predetermined quantities of the materials. An important object in this connection is to provide means for selecting the proper control devices in a single operation so as to fix the quantities of material to be dispensed by all of the dispensing devices simultaneously.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the character described wherein the control devices are electric lights arranged in concentric, circular rows and wherein the selecting means discussed in the preceding paragraph is adapted to energize selected ones of the lights corresponding to the quantities of material to be dispensed by the respective dispensing devices.

A further object is to provide an apparatus having a plurality of electrical terminals respectively connected to the lights and having a plurality of contacts which are connectible with selected ones of the terminals. A related object is to provide an apparatus wherein the terminals 1 are sockets and wherein the contacts are plugs which are selectively insertable into the sockets. Still another object in this connection is to provide in one embodiment of the invention an apparatus wherein all of the contacts are mounted on a single selecting member so that all of the contacts may be connected to selected ones of the terminals simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the electric lights, in cooperation with the movable control member, regulate the operation of the photoelectrically controlled means for actuating and deactuating the dispensing devices.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the foregoing character wherein the movable control member is adapted to convey light from the electric lights which are energized to a single, stationary photoelectric cell in sequence, the control member being non-linear and being formed of a material which is capable of conducting light along an irregular path.

In the preferred forms of the invention disclosed herein, the control member comprises an arm which is rotatable about the axis of the circular rows of light, another object being to provide an apparatus wherein the control arm is adapted to receive light at its outer end from any of the electric lights which are energized and which is adapted to project such light toward the photoelectric cell from its inner end.

An object in connection with one embodiment of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein the control arm is provided at its outer end with a plurality of fingers each of which is adapted to register with one of a group of the electric lights. An object in connection with another embodiment is to provide an apparatus having a plurality of stationary light-conducting members each having an end with which the outer end of the control arm is adapted to register, and each having a plurality of fingers re spectively registering with the electric lights in a predetermined group.

The foregoing objects of my invention and the advantages suggested thereby, together with.

various other objects and advantages which will become evident, may be attained through the utilization of the exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and which are described in detail hereinafter. Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view on a reduced scale showing, in semi-diagrammatic form, an installation incorporating a dispensing apparatus which embodies the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational View of the dispensing apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along the broken line 3-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a further enlarged, fragmentary sectional view duplicating the upper left corner of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are fragmentary sectional views taken along the broken lines 5-5, 6-6 and 1 T, respectively, of Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, front elevational view of one form of selecting means embodying the invention;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the broken line s a of Fig. 8;

Fig. 1G is a fragmentary perspective view showing a switch operating means of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical circuit which forms part of the dispensing apparatus;

Fig. 12 is a sectional View showing another embodiment of a selecting means of the invention;

Fig. 13 is a view showing a selecting member which forms part of the selecting means illustrated in Fig. 12; and.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary, perspective view showing to a given reading on the scale dial.

ing another embodiment of a control member of the invention.

Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawings, I show an installation in which my dispensing appararatus, indicated generally by the numeral 29, may be incorporated particularly advantageously. This installation includes a frame 2i which carries a hopper 22 and a receiver or receptacle 23, the hopper being divided into-four storage compartments or bins 2 3, 25, and 21 in the particular construction illustrated so that four different materials may be discharged into the receiver. It will be understood, of course, that the number of materials to be handled may be varied as desired, the number four having been selected merely for purposes of illustration.

The installation shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings may, for example, be employed for combining the various constituents of concrete, in which case the bins 24 to 2'5 may contain cement and various grades of aggregates such as sand, gravel, crushed rock, etc. The materials delivered into the receiver 23 subsequently may be discharged therefrom into a concrete mixer (not shown), the frame 2! supporting the hopper 22 and the receiver 23 preferably being so designed that a truck (not shown) carrying a concrete mixer may be driven beneath the receiver so that the mixture contained therein may be discharged into the mixer, as is well known in the art.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the dispensing apparatus 29, in the particular construction illustrated, includes a scale which is connected to the receiver 23 in a manner not specifically shown but well known in the art so as to produce movement of an indicator over a scale dial 3| in response to variations in the weight of the mixture contained in the receiver. As will be discussed in detail hereinafter, such Weight variations are utilized to control the operation of dispensing devices which regulate the delivery of material from the bins 24 to 2'! into the receiver 23, such dispensing devices being shown schematically in Fig. 11 and being indicated by the numerals 3d, 35, and 31. These dispensing devices, which are exemplified as simple gates, may be of any suitable type and may be of the type disclosed in my aforesaid prior patent if desired.

Considering the dispensing apparatus 29 in more detail, the dispensing devices 34 to 3'! are actuated in sequence by a photoelectrically controlled means whose operation is determined by the position of the indicator 30 relative to the scale dial 3| in such a manner that the dispensing devices deliver predetermined quantities of the materials contained in the bins M to 21 into the receiver 23 in sequence. As best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the photoelectrically controlled means includes a photoelectric cell 33 which is mounted at the center of the scale dial 3| and which is adapted to receive light in sequence from selected ones of a plurality of light sources 39 as the indicator 36 moves around the dial, the light sources, which are preferably electric light bulbs, serving as control devices which determine the quantities of material to be dispensed by the dispensing devices 3 3 to 3?. Any desired number of light bulbs 39 may be employed depending upon the range of the scale dial 3| and the accuracy with which materials are to be dispensed, each light bulb correspond- As an example, in the particular construction illustrated in the drawings, the range of the scale dial 3| is from zero to ten thousand pounds and one thousand light bulbs 39 are employed so that each light bulb corresponds to an increment of ten pounds. As indicated in the drawings, the light bulbs 39 are arranged in circular rows 40 which are concentric with the scale dial 3|, there being five rows of two hundred light bulbs each in the particular construction illustrated. However, it will be understood that any desired number of the light bulbs 39 may be employed and that the arrangement thereof relative to the scale dial 3| may be varied if desired.

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the light bulbs 39 are carried by sockets 4| mounted on an annular plate 42 which is concentric with the scale dial 3| and which is carried by a housing 43 mounted on a pedestal 44, the housing 43 also carrying the scale dial. The annular plate 42 is preferably formed of metal and is grounded, as indicated by the numeral 45 in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the sockets 4| carrying the light bulbs 39 being electrically connected to the annular plate so that one side of each light bulb is grounded. The other side of each light bulb 39 is connected to an electrical terminal 48 by a wire 49 connected to its socket 4 I, the wires 49 connecting the various light bulbs 39 to the corresponding terminals 48 being grouped in a cable 50 leading to a control or selector panel 5|, as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The terminals 48, which are sockets in the particular embodiment under consideration, are mounted on the panel 5| in horizontal rows and vertical columns, the panel being divided vertically with one-half of the sockets 48 on the left side of the panel, as viewed in Fig. 8, and with the remaining one-half on the right side thereof. In the particular construction illustrated in the drawings, there are ten columns of the sockets 48 on each half of the panel 5|, and there are fifty rows of the sockets 48 on each half thereof, the columns on each side of the panel being headed by the numeral 10, 20, 30, etc. The rows of sockets 48 on the left side of the panel 5| are headed by the numerals 0, 100, 200, 300, etc. The rows of sockets 48 on the right side of the panel 5|, as viewed in Fig. 8, are headed by the numerals 5000, 5100, 5200, etc. As will be apparent, the socket 48 which is in the horizontal row headed 4700 and in the vertical column headed 30 corresponds to a reading of 4730 on the scale dial 3| and is connected to the particular light bulb 38 which is opposite the reading 4730 on the scale dial.

Selected ones of the light bulbs 39 located opposite predetermined readings on the scale dial 3| may be connected to a source of electricity by inserting plugs 54 to 51 in the sockets 48 to which the selected light bulbs are connected, the plugs 54 to 51 corresponding to the dispensing devices 34 to 31, respectively. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, the plugs 54 to 51 are connected to electrical cords 64 to 61, respectively, which cords may be connected to a suitable source of electricity to provide current for ener gizing the light bulbs 39 corresponding to the sockets 48 in which the plugs 54 to 51 are inserted. Preferably, the cords 64 to 61 are connected in the electrical circuit of the dispensing apparatus 20 in a manner to be described in more detail hereinafter in connection with the schematic Wiring diagram of Fig. 11 of the drawings.

It will thus be apparent that, by inserting the plugs 54 to 51 in the proper sockets 48 on the panel 5|, the light bulbs 39 which correspond to predetermined readings on the scale dial 3| may be energized. As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, the reading on the scale dial 3| opposite the light bulb 39 connected to the socket 48 into which the plug 54 is inserted equals the weight of material to be dispensed from the bin 24 by the dispensing device 34, the difference between this reading on the scale dial and the reading thereon opposite the light bulb connected to the socket into which the plug 55 is inserted equals the weight of material to be dispensed from the bin 25 by the dispensing device 35, etc. For convenience in considering Fig. 11 of the drawings hereinafter, the light bulbs connected to the sockets 48 in which the plugs 54 to 5! are inserted are identified by the numerals 14 to 11, respectively.

The indicator 30 is adapted to conduct light in sequence from the light bulbs which are connected to the plugs 54 to 57, e. g., the light bulbs identified by the numerals 14 to 11, respectively, in Fig. 11 of the drawings, to the photoelectric cell 38 in a manner about to be described. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the indicator 30 comprises a control member or arm 18 which is rotatable about the axis of the scale dial 3| and the rows 40 of light bulbs 39, the control arm being carried by a spindle 19 which is driven by mechanism (not shown) responsive to variations in the weight of material in the receiver 23 as is well known in the art. The control arm 18 carries a pointer 88 which is movable over the scale dial 3| to indicate the weight of material in the receiver 23. The control arm 18 is formed of a material which has the characteristic of conducting light along a non-linear path, e. g., Lucite (methyl methacrylate), and is adapted to receive light at its outer end from any of the light bulbs which are energized, e. g., the light bulbs 14 to H, the control arm being adapted to conduct such light to the photoelectric cell 38. As best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the control arm 18 terminates at its inner end in an axially extending shank 8| which registers with the photoelectric cell 38 so that light which passes through the control arm is projected from the shank 8| onto the photoelectric cell.

In the particular embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in Figs. 3 to 7 of the drawings, light from any of the light bulbs 39 which are energized is conducted to the outer end of the control arm 18 by members 82 which are also formed of a material capable of conducting light along irregular paths, the members being carried by an annular plate 85. Each member 82 is provided with five fingers 83 in the particular construction illustrated, each of the fingers of each member registering with one of the light bulbs 39 in one of the rows 40. More specifically, the fingers 83 of each member 82 respectively register with light bulbs 39 from each of the five rows 40 present in the particular construction illustrated. Thus, each fingered member 82 is adapted to receive light from one of the light bulbs 39 in each of the rows 48, it being necessary to provide two hundred of the members 82 in the particular construction illustrated since one thousand light bulbs are employed.

Each of the fingered members 82 terminates in a shank 84 with which the outer end of the control arm 18 is adapted to register, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, as the control arm rotates in response to variations in theweight of material in the receiver 23. Thus, whenever one of the light bulbs 39 in one of the groups thereof is energized, the corresponding fingered member 82 receives light from the energized bulb and projects it toward the outer end of the control arm 18 when the outer end'thereof registers with the shank 84 of this fingered member. Subsequently, the control arm 18 conducts such light to the photoelectric cell 38.

The purpose of employing acommon fingered member 82 for conducting light from the light bulbs 39 in each group to the control arm 18 is to simplify the structure. If desired, means for conducting light from the light bulbs 39 to the control arm 18 individually may be provided.

For convenience, the disclosure thus far has been restricted to a description of the structure of the dispensing apparatus 20 as a preamble to describing the photoelectrically controlled means for actuating the dispensing devices 34 to 31 so as to discharge measured quantities of the materials in the bins 24 to 21 into the receiver 23 in sequence in the manner indicated previously. The photoelectrically controlled means will now be considered in more detail with particular reference to the schematic diagram in Fig. 11 of the drawings,

Referring particularly to Fig. 11, I have shown the dispensing devices 34 to 31 as being actuable by double-acting hydraulic units I04 to I01, respectively, which are controlled by suitable selector valves II4 to II1, respectively, the respective valves being in turn controlled by solenoids I24 to I21 which form part of the electrical circuit of the dispensing apparatus. Considering the circuit in more detail, it includes a pair of leads I23 and I29 which are connected to a suitable current source, the lead I28 being connected to an on-ofi switch I30 which is closed when the apparatus is in operation. The circuit also includes a relay I3I which is controlled by a start switch I32 and by the photoelectric cell 38, which actsas a switch in the circuit, the switch I32 and the photoelectric cell being connected in parallel with each other and being connected in series with the relay. Thus, the relay I3I is energized whenever the start switch I32 is closed, or whenever light from one of the light bulbs 39 falls on the photoelectric cell 38. For convenience, the amplifier and other apparatus necessarily associated with the photoelectric cell 38 have been omitted from the circuit.

The relay I3I, when energized, closes a normally open switch I33 which is connected in series with an electric motor I34, current being supplied to the motor through suitable connections to the leads I28 and I29. A solenoid operated brake I35 is connected across the input leads to the motor I 34 and is adapted to prevent coasting of the motor upon opening of the switch I33, the solenoid incorporated in the brake being adapted to disengage the brake when the motor is energized.

Referring to Fig. 10 of the drawings, the motor I34 drives a shaft I36 which carries discs I31 and I38, these discs being provided with notches I39 and I40, respectively. Associated with the disc I31 is a switch I'4I which, as shown in Fig. ll, includes contacts I4Ia, I4Ib, I4Ic, and Mid, the contacts I4Ia and MN) normally bein connected but the contacts I4 I0 and I4Id being connected and the contacts I4Ia and I4Ib being disconnected whenever an actuating roller I42 forming part of the switch I4I enters the notch I39in the disc I31.

Similar switches I44 to I41, which respectively correspond to the dispensing devices 34 to 31, are mounted adjacent the disc I38 and are provided with rollers which are adapted to enter the notch I in this disc. As shown in Fig. 11, the switch I44 is provided with contacts I44a to I44d, the contacts I44a and I441) being connected when the roller of the switch I44 is out of the notch I40 in the disc I38 and the contacts I440 and I441) being connected when the roller is in the notch. Similarly, the switch I45 includes contacts I45a-to I45d, the switch I46 includes contacts l45a to I45d and the switch I41 includes contacts I41a to M111, and a and b contacts of the respective switches being connected whenever the rollers thereof are out of the notch I40 in the disc I38, and the c and d contacts being connected when the rollers are in the notch.

The switches IM and I44 to I41 are connected in series in such a manner that a current path through the motor I34 is established when all of the rollers which actuate these switches are out of the notches in the discs I31 and I38 so that the a and b contacts of all of the switches are connected. Consequently, it will be apparent that the motor I34 will be energized either when the respective a and b contacts of all of the switches I4I and I44 to I41 are connected, or when the switch I33 is closed by the relay I3I. As previously discussed, this relay is energized to close the switch I33 whenever the start switch I32 is closed, or whenever light from one of the light bulbs 39 reaches the photoelectric cell 38.

The switch MI is also connected in the circuit in such a manner that when the roller associated therewith enters the notch I39 in the disc I31 to establish a connection between the contacts I4Ic and I4Id, this switch is connected in series with a pilot light I48, which is preferably green. Connected in series with the pilot light I48 is a normally closed switch I49 which is opened by a relay I50 whenever the motor I34 is energized, the relay I50 being connected in parallel with the motor. Thus, when the contacts Nile and I4Ib of the switch I4I are connected, this switch is connected in series with the switches I44 to I41 and the motor I34 (provided that the respective a and 12 contacts of all of the switches I44 to I41 are connected), and, when the contacts I4Ic and I4I d of the switch I4I are connected, this switch is connected in series with the pilot light I48 and the switch I49.

The switch I44 is connected in the circuit in such a manner that when the roller associated therewith enters the notch I40 in the disc I38 to connect the contacts I440 and I44d of this switch, a current path through the solenoid I24 is established, this solenoid being connected to the contact I440 of the switch I44 through a normally closed switch I54. The switches I45, I46 and I41 are connected in the circuit in a similar manner so that when the respective c and (1 contacts thereof are connected, current paths through the solenoids I25, I25 and I21, respectively, are established. Normally closed switches I55, I and I51 which are similar to the switch I54 are included in the circuit, the switch I55 being interposed between the contact I45c of the switch I45 and the solenoid I25, the switch I53 being interposed between the contact I46c of the switch I40 and the solenoid I26, and the switch I51 being interposed between the contact I410 of the switch I41 and the solenoid I21. Normally open switches I64 to I61 are mechanically connected to the normally closed switches I54 to I51, respectively,

in such a manner that whenever the switches I 64 to I61 are closed, the switches I54 to I51 are open, and vice versa. The switches I64 to I61 are connected in the circuit as shown in Fig. 11 and cooperate with the switches I54 to I51 to perform functions which will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that whenever the c and 11 contacts of any one of the switches I44 to I41 are connected by entry of the roller associated therewith into the notch I40 of the disc I38, the corresponding one of the solenoids I24 to I21 is energized to actuate the corresponding one of the dispensing devices 34 to 31.

If desired, indicator lights I14 to I 11, which are preferably red, may be connected in parallel with the solenoids I24 to I21, respectively, so that each of these lights will be energized whenever the corresponding solenoid is energized to indicate that the corresponding one of the dispensing devices 34 to 31 has been actuated.

As shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings, the cords 64 to 61 carrying the plugs 54 to 51 may be connected to the conductors which connect the corresponding ones of the switches I44 to I41 to the corresponding ones of the solenoids I24 to I21. In other words, the cord 64 carrying the plug 54 may be connected to the conductors connecting the switch I44 and the solenoid I24, the cord 65 carrying the plug 55 may be connected to the conductors connecting the switch I45 to the solenoid I25, respectively. As previously discussed, one side of each light bulb 39 is preferably grounded, and, as indicated in Fig. 11 of the drawings, grounded conductors I84 to I81 are respectively connected to the solenoids I24 to I21. Consequently, when the plugs 54 to 51 are inserted in those sockets 48 on the panel which correspond to the light bulbs 39 selected to be energized, the selected light bulbs are connected in parallel with the respective solenoids I 24 to I21. In Fig. 11 of the drawings, the numerals 14 to 11 have been employed to identify the light bulbs which have been selected to be energized. It will be understood that although the light bulbs are shown in Fig. 11 as connected in the circuit in such a manner that the selected bulbs 14 to 11 are connected in parallel with the corresponding solenoids I24 to I21, such parallel connections are not essential and may be dispensed with if desired.

For convenience in considering the operation of the dispensing apparatus 20, the procedure for initiating operation thereof will be related. Knowing the quantities of the variou materials which are to be delivered to the receiver 23 from the bins 24 to 21, the operator inserts the plugs 54 to 51 into the proper ones of the sockets 48 on the selector panel 5I In other words, the operator inserts the plug 54 into that one of the sockets 48 which is connected to the light bulb 39 opposite the reading on the scale dial M which corresponds to the weight of material to be discharged into the receiver 23 by the dispensing device 34, inserts the plug 55 into that one of the sockets 48 which is connected to the light bulb opposite the reading on the scale dial which corresponds to the combined weight of the materials to be discharged into the receiver 23 by the dispensing devices 34 and 35, etc. Thus, the light bulbs corresponding to the selected readings on the scale dial 3I, e. g., the light bulbs 14 to 11, are connected in the circuit.

After the selected light bulbs 14 to 11 corresponding to the predetermined readings on the scale dial 3| have been connected in the circuit is closed; the motor I 34 is de-energized; the roller for actuating the switch MI is in the notch I39 in the disc I31 so that the contacts l4lc and Mid of this switch are connected; all of the rollers for actuating the switches I44 to I41 are out of the ,notch I40 in the disc I38 so that the respective .a and 1) contacts of all of these switches are connected; the plugs 54 to 51 are connected to the light bulbs 14 to 11 but these bulbs are de-energized; the pilot light I48 is de-energized; the indicator lights I14 to I11 are de-energized; and the solenoids I24 to I21 controlling the dispensing devices 34 to 31 are deeenergized so that no material can flow from any of the bins 24 to 21 into the receiver 23.

With the foregoin conditions obtaining, the operator closes the on-ofi switch I30, which establishes a generally counterclockwise current path from the lead I28 to the contact I4Ic of the switch I4I, through this switch to the contact I4Id, and thence through the pilot light I48 and switch I49 to the lead I29. Thus, the pilot light I48 is energized to indicate that the electrical system of the apparatus is ready for operation.

The operator then closes the start switch I32 momentarily to energize the relay I3I, which closes the switch I33, thus energizing the motor I34 and the relay I50. The latter opens the switch I49 to de-energize the pilot light I48, thus indicating that the apparatus is in operation. As the motor I34 is energized, it rotates the discs I31 and I38 in a, clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 10, so that the roller controlling the switch I4I leaves the notch I39 in the disc I31 to break the connection between the contacts I4Ic and I4Id of this switch and to establish the connection between the contacts [Ma and I4Ib thereof. At this time, all of the rollers controlling the switches I44 to I41 are out of the notch I 40 in the disc I38 so that a current path to the motor obtains through the switches MI and I44 to I41, this current path, as viewed in Fig. 11, extending in a generally counterclockwise direction from the lead I28 through the switches MI and I44 to I41 in sequence, through the motor, and thence to the lead I29. This current path may be traced through the switches MI and I44 to I41 in Fig. 11 by going from the contact I4I a of the switch I4I to the contact I41a of the switch I41 by way of the contacts I4lb, I44b, I44a, I452), I45a, I461), M611, and M12) in sequence. Since this current path is established through the switches MI and I44 to I41 as soon as the roller controlling the switch I4I leaves the notch I39 in the disc I31, the start switch I32 may be released Without deenergizing the motor I34, although this will deenergize the relay I3I since no light from one of the selected light bulbs 14 to 11 has as yet reached the photoelectric cell 38.

The motor I34 continues to rotate the discs I31 and I38 until the roller which controls the switch I44 enters the notch I40 in the disc I38, whereupon the connection between the contacts I44a and I 44b of the switch I44 is broken and the condisc I38.

tinue its progress around the scale dial 3|.

nection between the contacts I440 and 14411 thereof is established. Thus, thecurrent path to the motor I34 is broken so that the roller controlling the switch I44 remains in the notch I40 in the At the same time, the relay I50 is deenergized so that the switch I49 is closed. Thus, a current path is established through the switch I44, the light bulb T4, the solenoid I24, and the indicator light I'I4. Thus, the solenoid I24 is energized and actuates the valve II4 controlling the hydraulic unit I04 so as to actuate the dispensing device 34, thereby permitting material from the bin 24 to flow into the receiver 23.

Such flow continues until a quantity of material suflicient to move the control arm I8 to a position opposite the light bulbI4 has been discharged into the receiver 23. When this occurs, light from the bulb I4 passes through one finger 83 of the member 82 associated with this bulb, and is conducted by the control arm I8 to the photoelectric cell 38, thus causing the photoelectric cell to establish a current path from the lead I28 through the relay I3I to the lead I20. The relay I3I, when energized in this manner, closes the switch I33 to energize the motor I34, whereupon the motor rotates the discs I31 and I38 so that the roller controlling the switch I44 leaves the notch I40 in the disc I38 to break the connection between the contacts I440 and I44d and to make the connection between the contacts I44a. and I44b. Also, at the instant light from the bulb I4 falls on the photoelectric cell 38, the relay I3I is energized to establish a current path through the relay I50 so as to open the switch I49, thus breaking the current path through the light bulb I4, the indicator light I14 and the solenoid I24.

When the solenoid I24 controlling the dispensing device 34 is de-energized in this manner, the dispensing device terminates discharge of material from the bin 24 into the receiver 23. Thus, the foregoing sequence of operations has resulted in the delivery of a predetermined quan tity of material from the bin 24 into the receiver 23, this quantity being substantially equal to the reading on the panel I corresponding to that terminal 48 in which the plug. 54. is inserted.

It will be noted that since the roller controlling the switch I44 leaves the notch I40 in the disc I33 as soon as the motor I34, is energized by the photoelectric cell 38, the connection between the contacts I440 and I44d of, this switch is broken to break the current path through the light bulb 74 so that the photoelectric cell becomes inoperative to de-energize the relay I3I and break the current pathto the motor through the switch I33. However, since the connection between the contacts I44a and M41 of the switch I44 has now been re-established, the current path through the switches I4I and I44 to I4! is reestablished so that the motor I34 continues to rotate the discs I37 and I38.

Such rotation of the discs I31 and I38 by the motor I34 continues until the roller controlling the switch I45 enters the notch I40 in the disc I38 to break the connection between the contacts I45a and I45?) of the switch I45, thus breaking the current path through the motor. At the same time, the connection between the contacts I450 and I45d of the switch I45 is made so that the light bulb I5, theindicator light I I5 and the solenoid I25 controlling the dispensing device 35 are all energized. As a result, material from the bin 25 is permitted to flow into the receiver 23, thus causing the indicator 30 to con- Such movement of the indicator 30 continues until the control arm 78 registers with the member 82 associated with the light bulb I5, whereupon the solenoid I25 controlling the dispensing device 35 is de-energized by opening of the switch I49 as the relay I50 and the motor I34 are energized through the action of the photoelectric cell 38 in energizing the relay I3! to close the switch I33. Thus, a predetermined quantity of the material in the bin 25 will have been discharged into the receiver 23.

The foregoing operational sequences are repeated until predetermined quantities of the materials in the bins 26 and 2? have also been discharged into the receiver 23, and, after all ofthe materials have been discharged into the receiver 23 in measured quantities, the motor I34 continues to rotate the discs I3? and I33 until the roller controlling the switch I45 enters the notch I 39 in the disc I3? to break the connection between the contacts I4Ia and Hill) of this switch, thus breaking the current path through the motor. The conditions now obtaining are identical to those which obtained when the on-ofi switch I30 was closed to ready the apparatus for operation. In other words, the apparatus is now in a condition for a repetition of the preceding operating cycle.

The discussion thus far has been based on the assumption that predetermined quantities of the materials in all of the bins 24 to 2'? are to be discharged into the receiver 23. However, it is frequently desirable to prevent discharge of one of the materials when a mixture having a smaller number of constituents is desired, this being the function of the previously mentioned switches I54 to I54 and IE4 to I67.

For convenience in considering the operation of these switches, it will be assumed that the materials from the bins 25, 26 and2I are to be discharged into the receiver 23 and that the material from the bin 24 is not to be discharged thereinto. In this case, the operator, preferably prior to closing the start switch I32, opens the switch I54 and closes the switch I54. Since the switches I54 and I34 are mechanically interconnected, this is accomplished in a single operation. Opening the switch I54 prevents the establishment of a current path through the solenoid I24 controlling the dispensing device 34 associated with the bin 24 so that no material will be discharged from this bin when the roller controlling the switch I 44 enters the notch I40 in the disc I38. The switch I64, being closed, establishes a by-pass current path around the switch I44 so that the motor I34 is not de-energized when the roller controlling the switch I44 enters the notch I40, the current path through the motor under such conditions being through the switch I4I, the switch I34, and the switches I45, I46 and I4? Discharge of material from any one of the remaining bins, i. e., 25, 26 and 2I, may be prevented by operating the paired switches I55-I65, I5EI66 and I5'II6I in a similar manner. It will be noted that if material from only one of the bins 24 to 2? is desired, it is merely necessary to actuate all of the switch combinations I54-I84, I55i5, I5 -I5t and I 5I-IGI except the one corresponding to the bin from which the material is desired.

It will be understood that the plugs 54 to 5! may have to be re-located on the panel 5| if one of the materials is to be omitted. For example, if material from the bin 25 is to be omitted without varying the quantities of the materials to be dispensed from the remaining bins, the plugs 56 and 51 must be re-located so that the plug 50 is inserted in that socket 48 which corresponds to the combined weights of the materials to be dispensed from the bins 24 and 26, and so that the plug 51 is inserted in that socket which corresponds to the combined weights of the materials to be dispensed from the bins 24, 26 and 21. Under such conditions, the plug 55 may be disconnected from the panel if desired.

In Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings I show a selecting means which is similar to the plug-in selecting means described previously but which enables the operator to connect selected ones of the light bulbs 39, e. g., the bulbs 14 to 11 which were discussed previously ,in the circuit in a single operation. Referring particularly to Fig. 12, the selecting means illustrated therein comprises a panel I90, formed of suitable insulating material, which carries a plurality of terminals 19!, the terminals being exemplified as rivet-like members having rounded heads and having shanks which extend through the panel. Preferably, the terminals I9I are hollow, as shown, so that plugs, such as the previously described plugs 54 to 51, may be inserted thereinto in some instances to energize selected ones of the light bulbs 39. The shanks of the terminals I9I are connected to the respective light bulbs 39 by the previously discussed wires 49. The panel I90 also carries terminals which are similar to the terminals I9I and which correspond to the dispensing devices 34 to 31, respectively, only one of these terminals being visible in Fig. 12 and being identified by the numeral I94 to correspond to the dispensing device 34. The terminal I94 is connected to a wire 204 and the terminals corresponding to the dispensing devices 35, 3B and 31 are respectively connected to wires 205, 206 and 201. The wires 204 to 201 may be connected to a suitable source of electricity, or they may be connected in the electrical circuit illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings in substantially the same manner in which the respective cords 64 to 61 carrying the plugs 54 to 51 are connected therein. As will be apparent, if the wires 204 to 201 are connected to a separate source of electricity instead of being connected in the circuit shown in Fig. 11 in the foregoing manner, one side of such separate source must be grounded since the light bulbs 39 are all grounded on one side.

It will be understood that the selecting means illustrated in Fig. 12 of the drawings is similar to the plug-in selecting means described previously in that, in order to connect selected ones of the light bulbs 39 in the circuit, it is necessary to connect the terminals to which the wires 204 to 201 are connected to proper ones of the terminals I91. In order that this may be accomplished in a single operation, I provide a selecting member or card 208 which is formed of a suitable insulating material and which is adapted to be placed against the panel I90 as shown in Fig. 12. The card 208 carries buttonlike contacts 2I4 to 2I1 which correspond to the respective dispensing devices 34 to 31 and which are adapted to engage the heads on the respective terminals to which the wires 204 to 201 are connected when the card is placed against the panel I90. The card also carries button-like contacts 224 to 221 which are electrically connected to the buttons 2l4 to H1, respectively, as by means of wires 228, or the equivalent, and which are adapted to engage the heads on selected ones of the terminals I9I when the card 208 is placed against the panel I90. The buttons 224 to 221 are so located on the card 208 that they will contact those terminals I9I which are connected to light bulbs 39 located opposite predetermined readings on the scale dial 3|. In the particular example shown in Fig. 13 of the drawings, the location of the button 224 on the card 208 corresponds to a reading of 1200 on the scale dial 3|, the location of the button 225 corresponds to a reading of 3320, etc. In other words, with the buttons 224 to 221 in the particular positions relative to the card 208 which are shown in Fig. 13, 1,200 pounds of the material in the bin 24 will be dispensed therefrom, 2,120 pounds of the material in the bin 25 will be dispensed therefrom, etc.

Thus, it will be apparent that in order to fix the weights of material to be dispensed from the various bins 24 to 21, it is merely necessary to place the card 208 against the panel I90, whereupon all of the selected light bulbs 39 are connected in the circuit simultaneously. Any desired number of cards similar to the card 208 may be provided to permit varying the quantities of material to be dispensed from the various bins, it being understood that the positions of the buttons 224 to 221 will vary from one card to another to accomplish this. Also, if it is desired to dispense material from only part of the bins 24 to 21, it will be apparent that an appropriate selecting card may be employed. For example, if no material is to :be dispensed from the bin 25, the button 220 may be omitted, if desired. If desired, discharge of material from one of the bins may also be prevented by providing means on the card 208 for short-circuiting the corresponding one of the switches I44 to I41.

Thus, it will be apparent that, by selecting an appropriate card 208 and placing it a ainst the panel I 99, any desired quantities of the materials in the .bins 24 to 21 may be dispensed. In order to hold the desired card 208 against the panel I90, I provide a holder 23I which is adapted to receive the card and which is pivoted with respect to the panel at 232, whereby the desired card may be moved into the proper position by rotating the holder from the position shown in phantom in Fig. 12 of the drawings to the position shown in solid lines therein. The holder 23I may be fastened by means of a bolt 233 having a wing nut 234 thereon, fo example.

I have previously disclosed a means for conducting light from the selected ones of the light bulbs 39 to the photoelectric cell 38 which includes the fingered members 32. In Fig. 14 of the drawings, I show another embodiment of such a light-conducting means which includes a control arm 238 having a plurality of fingers 239 at its outer end, the control arm 238 being substituted for the control arm 18 in this embodiment of the invetnion. The fingers 239 on the control arm 238 replace the previously discussed fingered members 82, each finger 239 being disposed opposite one of the rows 40 of light bulbs 39. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 14 of the drawings, the light bulbs 39 are enclosed by an annular housing 240 which is provided with a plurality of apertures 24! opposite the respective light bulbs 39, the ends of the fingers 239 on the control arm 238 being adapted to register with such apertures as the control arm rotates.

Although I have disclosed exemplary embodiments of my invention herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that I do not desire to be limited specifically thereto since various'changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiments disclosed without necessarily departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, I hereby reserve the right to such changes, modifications and substitutions as properly come within the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus for controlling a plurality of material dispensing devices, the combination of; means for actuating and subsequently deactuating the dispensing devices in sequence, said actuating and de-actuating means including a plurality of electric lights which are positioned along a predetermined path and selected ones of which may be energized, including photoelectric means and including a light-conveying means which is movable along said path, which registers with said photoelectric means and which is adapted to register with successive ones of said electric lights so as to convey to said photoelectric means light from successive ones of any of said electric lights that are energized; and switch means for energizing selected ones of said electric lights. 1

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said switch means includes a plurality of electrical terminals respectively connected to said electric lights, and includes a plurality of electrical contacts corresponding in number to the number of dispensing devices and adapted to be connected to selected ones of said terminals.

3. In an apparatus for controlling a plurality of material dispensing devices, the combination of: switching means for actuating and subsequently de-aotuating the dispensing devices in sequential order; a plurality of electric lights positioned along a predetermined path; means for energizing selected ones of said lights including 'a plurality of electrical terminals respectively connected tosaid lights and including a plurality of contacts corresponding in number to the number of dispensing devices and adapted to be connected to selected ones of said terminals; photoelectric means; means movable along said path at rates proportional to the rates at which material is dispensed by the respective dispensing devices for conducting light from said selected lights to said photoelectric means in sequential order; and means controlled by said photoelectric means for actuating said switching means.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said contacts are telescopically connectible with selected ones of said terminals.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said terminals comprise sockets and wherein said contacts comprise plugs which are insertable into selected ones of said sockets.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3 including means for connecting said contacts to selected ones of said terminals simultaneously.

'7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 where' in said contacts are carried by a single selecting member whereby all of said contacts may be connected to selected ones of said terminals simultaneously.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: a plurality of electric lights positioned along a predetermined path; means for energizing selected ones of said lights comprising electrical terminals respectively connected to said lights and including a plurality of contacts adapted to be connected to selected ones of said terminals; 2. photoelectric cell; and

means movable along said path for conducting light from said selected electric lights to said photoelectric cell.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: a plurality of electric lights positioned along a circular path; means for energizing selected ones of said lights including a plurality of electrical terminals respectively connected to said lights and including a plurality of contacts which are connectible with selected ones of said terminals; photoelectric means; and means movable along said circular path for conducting light from said selected electri lights to said photoelectric means, said light-conducting means being rotatable about the axis of said path and being provided with light-transmitting means having the characteristic of conducting light along an irregular path, said light-conducting means registering at one end with said photoelectric means and having at its other end means for receiving light from said selected electric lights.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of concentric, circular rows of electric lights; means for energizing selected ones of said lights; photoelectric means; and means for conducting light from said selected electric lights to said photoelectric means in sequence, said light-conducting means comprising an arm which is rotatable about the axis of said circular rows of lights, said arm being adapted to receive light from said selected electric lights at one end thereof and being adapted to project such light toward said photoelectric means from the other end thereof.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 where in said arm is provided at said one end thereof with a plurality of fingers each of which is adapted to register with one of a group of said electric lights.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 including a plurality of light-conducting members each having an end with which said one end of said arm is adapted to register, and each having a plurality of fingers each of which registers with one of a group of said lights.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said energizing means includes a plurality of electrical socket-s respectively connected to said lights and includes a plurality of plugs which are insertable into selected ones of said sockets.

14. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said energizing means includes a plurality of electrical terminals respectively connected to said lights and includes a selecting member'carrying a plurality of electrical contacts which are connectible with selected ones of said terminals.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: a plurality of electric lights; a plurality of electrical terminals respectively connected to said lights; a selecting member having thereon a plurality of contacts which are adapted to register with and which are connectible to selected ones of said terminals, whereby to permit connecting all of said contacts to said selected terminals, respectively, simultaneously, and whereby to permit energizing the corresponding electric lights simultaneously; photoelectric means; and means for conveying light from said corresponding electric lights to said photoelectric means.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of: a plurality of light sources located on concentric, radially spaced, circular paths; a photoelectric cell; and means for con- 17 veying light from said light sources to said photoelectric cell, including a member rotatable about the axis of said circular paths and including elements registrable with said light sources on said circular paths, respectively, said member registering with said photoelectric cell.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said elements are fingers carried by said member, said elements and said member being formed of a material capable of conducting light along irregular paths.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 16 including means for varying the positions of said light sources along said circular paths.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said elements are fingers having a common end, and wherein said member is an arm adapted to register with said common end of said fingers, said member and said elements being formed of a material capable of conducting light along irregular paths.

20. In anfapparatus of the character described, the combination of: a plurality of electric lights positioned along a predetermined path; means for energizing selected ones of said lights; a photoelectric cell; and means movable along said path for conducting light from successive ones of said selected electric lights to said photoelectric cell.

WALTER E. SAXE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,886,188 Hough Nov. 1, 1932 2,006,436 Bowers July 2, 1935 2,038,746 Madsen et a1 Apr. 28, 1936 2,111,118 Lake Mar. 15, 1938 2,169,842 Kannenberg Aug. 15, 1939 2,336,130 Saxe Dec. 7, 1943 2,397,202 Potts Mar. 26, 1946 2,460,605 Soissa Feb. 1, 1949 

